The Digest:
Nigerian sprinter Kanyinsola Ajayi’s historic run ended just outside the medals, finishing sixth in the men’s 100m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Despite crossing the line in 10.00 seconds, the 21-year-old’s appearance itself marked a significant milestone—breaking an 18-year drought for Nigeria in the event’s final.
Key Points:
- Ajayi could not match his semi-final form, finishing behind Jamaican duo Oblique Seville (9.77s) and Kishane Thompson (9.82s).
- American Noah Lyles took bronze in a season’s best of 9.89 seconds.
- He was the second-best African finisher, behind South Africa’s Gift Leotlela (5th, 9.95s).
- Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo was disqualified after a false start.
- Ajayi remains one of only four Nigerian athletes still competing in Tokyo.
- His journey to the final revived hopes for Nigerian sprinting on the global stage.
- The race underlined the continued dominance of Jamaican and American sprinters.
Sources: The Cable
